Teething can be very painful for babies and exhausting for their parents. It's always difficult to see your infant hurting, not to mention the sleep deprivation and crying that go along with it. There are a number of home remedies you can use to make life a little easier during these phases. If nothing seems to help or if your child has unusual symptoms, talk to your pediatrician.
Symptoms
Babies who are teething become fussy and cry more often because they're in pain. They may begin biting other people or chewing on their own fingers for relief. Teething pain can prevent infants from falling sleep, wake them up during the night, or cause a loss of appetite. You might be able to see that your baby's gums are swollen. Drooling more than normal is also common and may appear before the other symptoms.
Time Frame
The first baby tooth usually erupts when an infant is 6 to 10 months old, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The bottom and top central incisors, which are the front teeth, typically come in first. These are followed by the first molars and canine teeth. Second molars erupt anywhere between 23 and 33 months. Most infants experience teething pain every few months. Symptoms may last a couple of days to a week each time new teeth come in.
Remedies
Teething pain is often helped by applying pressure to the gums. Give your baby something safe to chew on, like a firm teething ring or a bottle that's filled with water. Cold items can also be soothing, but it's best not to give your infant something that's completely frozen. Try feeding him cold foods or letting him chew on a wet washcloth that's been in the freezer for a few minutes. Tylenol and ibuprofen are also frequently used for teething pain. Ask your pediatrician about the correct dosage for your infant.
Significance
Baby teeth will eventually fall out to make space for larger permanent teeth, but that doesn't exactly mean they're expendable. You should begin brushing your infant's teeth with water as soon as the first one comes in. Use either a regular infant toothbrush or the kind that fits over your finger. Healthy baby teeth are important because they will help your child eat solid foods and learn to speak properly. They also act as placeholders for permanent teeth.
Misconceptions
People tend to blame teething for symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and susceptibility to other illnesses. According to the Medical College of Georgia, research has shown that these things are unrelated to new teeth coming in. Likewise, facial rashes are not actually caused by teething itself but can occur due to excess drool. Make sure that your baby gets the treatment she needs if she's ill, regardless of whether she's teething or not. Consult your pediatrician for advice.
